Visit These 4 Ports for Exceptional Pelagic Birding
Set your sights on coasts around the country for exciting offshore excursions.
By Chad Witko
Specialist, Avian Biology
Published Fall 2026
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If you're ready to dip your toe into the thrilling world of pelagic birding, consider these four outings around the country, from the classic to the underappreciated.
Bar Harbor, Maine
On the East Coast, it is hard to deny the draw of North Carolina鈥檚 Outer Banks, one of the continent鈥檚 premier seabirding destinations. But for a distinctly northern experience, consider a fall trip to Bar Harbor, Maine. You could encounter all three jaeger species; rare Great and South Polar Skuas; Great, Cory鈥檚, Manx, and Sooty Shearwaters; Wilson鈥檚 and Leach鈥檚 Storm-Petrels; Northern Gannets; Red and Red-necked Phalaropes; and a variety of alcid颅s鈥攊ncluding Atlantic Puffins.
Westport, Washington
California is the star of West Coast seabirding, but don鈥檛 sleep on Westport, Washington. Offshore trips reach the deep and nutrient-rich waters of the continental shelf, which attract an impressive diversity of seabirds including Black-footed and Laysan Albatrosses, Northern Fulmars, Sooty and Pink-footed Shearwaters, Fork-tailed Storm-Petrels, all three jaegers, and Sabine鈥檚 Gulls. West Coast alcids, including auklets and Tufted Puffins add to the fun. Lucky birders may even glimpse rarities like the Short-tailed Albatross.
Port Aransas, Texas
Explore waters off the Texas coast where warm currents, seasonal storms, and breeding and migrating seabirds combine to produce an exciting mix of species. Regulars include Parasitic and Pomarine Jaegers; Sooty and Bridled Terns; Band-rumped Storm-Petrels; Cory鈥檚, Scopoli鈥檚, and Sargasso Shearwaters; Magnificent Frigatebirds; and Masked and Brown Boobies. Especially following tropical weather systems, birders may encounter unexpected visitors, including White-tailed Tropicbirds and other rarities.
The Great Lakes
These vast inland seas can produce incredible waterbird spectacles throughout the year, but fall and even winter can be particularly impressive. Targets include Parasitic, Pomarine, and (rarely) Long-tailed Jaegers, Sabine鈥檚 Gulls, and Red and Red-necked Phalaropes. Migrating ducks, loons, gulls, and terns are often part of the experience, and the lakes have produced some truly unexpected rarities over the years.
This story originally ran in the Fall 2026 issue as 鈥淪ea to Shining Sea.鈥 To receive our print magazine, become a member by .
